Agent 99

When I was traveling a lot for work at my previous employer, we always used a travel agency to book our flights, hotel and car. I'd call or e-mail the agency and give them the destination and dates. They'd fax or e-mail my itinerary and off I went, oblivious to all that goes on to get the cheapest fare, etc...

For personal travel, I can barely remember how many times I've had to book my own flight. The only one that comes to mind is a trip to California for a wedding. I actually used frequent flyer miles I'd accumulated from all that work travel. Most other times we've traveled, someone else has made the arrangements.

When John and I went to Thailand in January, we checked various airlines and tracked the change in fares, but in the end, we took the flight out of the airport most convenient for us. I'm sure there were cheaper flights on airlines we've never used, but we weren't looking for that.

So, my mom, aunt and 4 family friends (two coming from Thailand) are planning a trip to Vegas this October. Having one foot in the 21st century, they know this trip can be booked online, and have even gone online to look for flights and hotel rates. But when it comes to actually BOOKING the trip, for some reason, they can't seem to complete the task. This is where I come in.

Do you know how much I dread this task??? I don't even like doing this for myself, but now I have to book this for 6 people??? Part of the problem is their constant hovering over the computer while I look up information. They see $49.99 on the screen and think this is the rate. It is if you're willing to fly out in the middle of the night in the cargo area with 4 stops in between. And yes, there are cheap hotels in Vegas, but if you want to be on the strip, most hotels are going to be $200.00 per room per night. UGH!

Another task I have to do is to locally book some hotel rooms for a group of people coming in from Thailand. I'm not sure how my dad got involved in this, but somehow I have to call up the Crowne Plaza with a bunch of goofy check-in and check-out dates. Some people are coming in on the 20th, some on the 23rd, or leaving on the 23rd. I don't know.

I'm not good at looking up travel stuff. I made John do it when we went to Vegas and Thailand. This time, we're talking about 6 old ladies. They're stingey with their money. They want the Moet for the price of Asti. I'm stressing out at the thought of my parents' arrival very shortly so I can book all this for them. Why couldn't they just go the old fashioned route and use a travel agent like they always have??? Wish me luck.

**UPDATE**
It took over 2 hours to book the Vegas trip! There should be hazard pay or something for this. I ought to just be grateful to be able to do this for my folks, given everything they've done for me... but the hovering -- I wish they wouldn't hover! So glad it's over.